Dog Health Blog

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in aging
dogs and cats. This article offers some treatment options
for easing the discomfort of your dogs or cats suffering
from arthritis.

Arthritis is an inclusive term for a number of degenerative
joint diseases. Pain, swelling and/or stiffness occur in
all of them.

In dogs, arthritis usually takes the form of hip dysplasia,
elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, joint degeneration or
dislocation of the knee. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear
and tear and is seen mostly in older dogs. Rheumatoid
arthritis is a disorder of the membrane surrounding the
joints and can occur at any age.

Cats suffer primarily from osteoarthritis. Although they
don’t often show it, arthritis occurs more often in cats
than previously believed. Cats will not show the same
symptoms as dogs, and are much less likely to exhibit signs
of pain. The most apparent symptom would be the
unwillingness or inability to jump as high as they used to.
The cat owner might also notice an overall reduction in
activity.

The good news is that the disease can be managed and
discomfort kept to a minimum. Nutrition is the core of any
treatment plan. A natural diet is essential. Supplements
such as vitamin C, alfalfa or kelp are helpful. Glucosamine
is commonly recommended. Glucosamine is a substance which
works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been
proven effective for relief of osteoarthritis pain,
rehabilitation of cartilage, and repairing joints.

A key component of cartilage and a naturally occurring
compound, glucosamine can be used before symptoms begin to
protect the joints from aging. It is sometimes used in
conjunction with chondriton, another natural substance that
protects the joints, and or MSM, a form of sulfur that
helps reduce inflammation.

Homeopathic remedies, such as Rhus Tox or Pulsatilla may
work. There are many herbal anti-inflammatories; licorice
and black cohosh are but two possibilities. Yucca and
Devil’s Claw are commonly used for arthritis for
inflammation and pain.

A good adjunct to remedies or supplements is acupuncture.
It can be very helpful in easing pain and stiffness in many
arthritic conditions.

Other forms of physical therapy are becoming available for
dogs in many areas. Regular mild exercise also help to keep
the dog mobile, but don’t push - let your dog tell you how
much he can handle. Keeping the dog’s weight down will take
some of the stress off the joints, making movement easier
and less painful.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics may also ease the symptoms
of arthritis, though there is little research to bear this
out. Poor digestion can result in partially digested
proteins and other particles being reabsorbed into the
bloodstream. This can then result in immune dysfunction and
inflammation.

When all else fails, there are pharmaceutical
anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Two of the most
common ones are Rimadyl and Etogesic. These medicines can
have serious side effects and require careful monitoring of
the dog’s health.

—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet
health questions through a large collection of articles.
http://www.pethealthresource.com

Aging is the one thing science has yet to find a cure for.
Our pets suffer some of the same insults of growing older
that we do.

Some dogs may exhibit a number of behavioral changes linked
to senility. This condition is now commonly called Canine
Cognitive Dysfunction, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
While this syndrome is recognized in dogs, it has not been
scientifically established in cats.

There are four main areas where CCD symptoms appear. They
are disorientation, interaction with people, activity level
and sleep, and housetraining.

Disorientation can be seen as an animal that wanders
aimlessly, gets stuck in corners, stands at the wrong side
of a door or appears not to recognize people or familiar
commands and words.

Changes in interaction with people include seeking more or
less attention than normal, not wanting to be petted, and
not responding to his or her name.

Activity level and sleep changes show in such behaviors as
sleeping more during the day and less at night, barking for
no reason, forgetting meal times, and wandering aimlessly.

Housetraining changes are obvious – urinating in the
house, not asking to go outside or forgetting why they are
there when they do go out. This is not the same as
incontinence, which is usually a physical problem.

Cats may show some of these same signs, though they are
often more subtle. There are also a number of other reasons
for behavior changes in both dogs and cats.

Chronic pain can cause changes in behavior, in particular
pacing and not sleeping at night. Hyperthyroidism in cats
is often a reason for some of the odd behaviors older cats
may exhibit.

Other hormonal disorders can also cause changes, especially
those involving eating patterns or aggression. Medications
can also cause changes in behavior, as can many other
diseases and medical conditions.

Cats are also prone to small strokes, which can cause
changes such as walking into walls, or appearing
disorientated.

A thorough medical exam with blood work will be necessary
in order to determine if your pet has a cognitive disorder
due to aging.

There is also a syndrome called societal disassociative
disorder, which is similar to CDS and is caused by loss of
senses such as hearing and sight.

You can help your pet through these times by being aware of
the causes and not taking it personally or punishing the
animal for inappropriate behavior. You can offer extra
attention and reassurance.

Try to keep a consistent schedule, and to not make a lot of
physical changes in the dog or cat’s environment.

The use of flower essences, aromatherapy, herbs and touch
therapy can all be helpful in keeping your dog or cat free
of anxiety.

—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. For more information on this subject, visit:
http://www.pethealthresource.com